The GHID Blog

Welcome to our blog, here we go in depth with our design projects and hopefully we teach you a bit about interior design and our industry. If you're looking for a specific blog post, check out our archive here!

The mantel can be tricky to design and decorate well. Like anything, you may have picked out the perfect accessories, but pulling it all together can be challenging. Back in 2013, we wrote a post outlining how to decorate your mantel for the fall, but this time we are going to be speaking in a more general sense on how you can make the most of your mantel.

The Key To Stylizing Your Mantel

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This image was what started off the previously mentioned mantel blog post. It is a great guide that you can follow to have your mantel look great, but remember that it is only one model of how you can decorate it. There are a lot of different ways you can set up a fireplace mantel and still have it look great! With this particular layout, we see a balance of one taller, central piece, with smaller accessories around it, of varying heights, to form a sort of triangle silhouette of art.

Do Not Be Symmetrical

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This rule is not universal. Maybe you're going for something very symmetrical and clean. However, in most cases, being perfectly symmetrical does not look natural. You want to make something visually interesting above your fireplace, which may involve different accessories on each side of a centerpiece, or maybe even a main piece that is slightly off-center.

Do Not Overcrowd Your Mantel

There is such a thing as too much of a good thing, and this can include all the nick-nacks that you want to display on your mantel. Keep it relatively simple and clean, and try to make a statement with your elegance and simplicity, rather than a lot of big pieces crowded together. In this case, we have chosen to simply display artwork. Another option for this mantel would be to place a TV over the fireplace, because the bookshelves are adorned with other beautiful and personalized home decor.

Try Keeping it Simple

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On that note, why not just go for simplicity? Try only using a few small accessories to accent your mantel, but let your fireplace and maybe some nice wall art do the talking. Taking a minimalist approach can help make your space look streamlined and less cluttered.

Put Your Personality into Your Mantel

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The fireplace is going to draw a lot of eyes, meaning that whatever you have adorning your mantel is going to be making a big impression on guests. Be honest and open and add a flair of your personality to this space. This can be done with a family portrait, a photo you took, a family heirloom, or something else unique, like a salt lamp or a handmade bowl.

Decorating a fireplace mantel isn't always easy, but once you get it right you will love the room even more! The mantel is a focal point that draws a lot of eyes, so make sure you put your best on display! I hope you find these tips helpful in making your fireplace pop!